Hey all! Sorry for the delay! Thanks muchas for the reviews! BTW, the lyrics in this chapter are from Dashboard Confessional's song Hands Down. Without further ado… Chapter 14!
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Rory and Jemma made their way over to Paris and Dean's house on Peach Street. Rory looked at her surroundings, remembering the number of evenings spent here with Jess, talking about books, or just enjoying the silence and each other's company.
Rory heard and door slam and saw Paris running over to greet her and Jemma.
"Rory! Oh, thank God," Paris said, pulling Rory into a hug. "I heard what happened."
"Hey, babe, why don't you go see Uncle Dean and let Aunt Paris and I talk," Rory suggested, handing Jemma her small backpack.
Jemma nodded. "Okay, Mom."
Rory and Paris walked over to a bench on the sidewalk. Rory sighed as she sat down, and Paris smiled sympathetically at her.
"So, he just came back?" Paris asked.
Rory shrugged. "I have no idea why."
"Good, God," Paris stated.
Rory curled up into a ball. "Tell me about it."
Paris hugged Rory again. "If you need anything, like a hit man, for instance, call me. Dean's tall, he could take Jess."
Rory nodded. "He did, at a party."
Paris laughed. "Heard about that one."
Rory looked at Paris. "Does he know Jess is back?"
"Yeah. Ms. Patty was talking about the scrumptious young man that came back." Paris laughed.
"Look, Paris," Rory said, standing up. "I have to get back. I have to be in Hartford tonight at nine."
Paris nodded, and stood up as well. "Okay. We'll have Jemma back to you tomorrow."
Rory smiled. "Okay. Bye, Paris."
Paris watched as Rory walked away. "God damn you, Mariano. She's still not over you."
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Rory got into her Ford Escape, a gift from her grandparents after the birth of Jemma. They'd said something about how Rory couldn't care for a small child in the Prius they'd planned to give her.
She turned the radio on, and that's when she heard it. Their song.
Breathe in for luck,
Breathe in so deep,
This air is blessed,
You share with me.
Jess had dubbed it their song after their very first time together. Rory had smiled and he had held her and told her how much he loved her.
This night is wild,
So calm and dull,
These hearts they race,
From self control.
Your legs are smooth,
As they graze mine,
We're doing fine,
We're doing nothing at all.
Rory smiled as the song carried on. She remembered how their very first time together was also their last time, and she remembered how Jess left two months later. And how the day he left was the day she found out about Jemma.
My hopes are so high,
That your kiss might kill me.
So won't you kill me,
So I die happy.
My heart is yours to fill or burst,
To break or bury,
Or wear as jewelery,
Whichever you prefer.
Rory sighed as she pulled onto the freeway. She looked around and finally saw her exit. She was going to get Tristan. She loved Tristan. But Jess…
The words are hushed lets not get busted;
Just lay entwined here, undiscovered.
Safe in here from all the stupid questions.
"Hey did you get some?"
Man, that is so dumb.
Stay quiet, stay near, stay close they can't hear...
So we can get some.
Rory shook her head, trying to block out all thoughts of Jess, and just listen to this song. This song that meant nothing to her. This song that reminded her of Jess.
No. It reminded her of nothing.
My hopes are so high that your kiss might kill me.
So won't you kill me, so I die happy.
My heart is yours to fill or burst,
To break or bury,
Or wear as jewelery,
Which ever you prefer.
Rory smiled. She was going to be Mrs. Tristan DuGrey. She and Tristan were getting married. So what if Jess was in town? He could come to the wedding. Then he would see that she was over him.
Hands down this is the best day I can ever remember,
I'll always remember the sound of the stereo,
The dim of the soft lights,
The scent of your hair that you twirled in your fingers
And the time on the clock when we realized it's so late
And this walk that we shared together.
Jess meant nothing to her. He was nothing more than the father of her child. He was nothing more than that. Nothing more, nothing less.
The streets were wet
And the gate was locked so I jumped it,
And I let you in.
Rory parked the car and made her way inside. She stood for a moment at the terminal, and she saw people getting off the plane. And she saw Tristan.
He made his way over to her and hugged her. "Hey, Mary."
Rory smiled into him. "DuGrey, you've known me for years and you still can't seem to get my name right."
Tristan chuckled. "What makes you think I'm talking about the Virgin Mary? You're a Magdalene now."
Rory smiled, blocking all thoughts of Jess from her mind.
She shook her head. "Damn."
Tristan pulled Rory closer to him and kissed the top of her head. "I've missed you."
Rory took his hand and they made their way out of the airport. And then she remembered the end of that stupid song.
And you stood at your door with your hands on my waist
And you kissed me like you meant it.
And I knew that you meant it,
That you meant it,
That you meant it,
And I knew,
That you meant it,
That you meant it.
God damn you, Mariano, she thought. I'm still not over you.